Thinkstock Images / Getty ImagesInformation on the Styles Now AvailableThe deck railing style you chose for your new deck is the piece de resistance of the project. Safety is the practical consideration behind the installation of railings, and you should…
A Guide to Deck Plans and DesignsBeginning Your Deck-Building ProjectLounge chairs on deck with a view of the ocean. Getty ImagesThe most difficult part of building a deck may be planning and designing the project. You've decided that it's a deck…
Building code requirements for exterior decking railing, guards, and stairs are especially stringent because decks fall into the category of critical health and safety matters. Code requirements for bathroom fans or drywall, while important, rarely touch upon life and…
When planning an outdoor deck, perhaps the biggest decision you face is which material to use for the decking. While most decks use pressure-treated wood lumber for the under structure (the posts, beams, joists, etc.), the…
The hardscape area around your swimming pool is called a surround, deck, or decking, even though it isn't always made of wood or composite, like traditional outdoor decks with which we most often associate the words. Traditionally, most…
Defining Back Graden Spaces and RoomsShould you build a patio or deck in your garden? How do you know which one is right for you, your lifestyle and your outdoor living space? And how can you…
Building an 8-by-10-Foot Floating Deck Floating decks are so called because, rather than being attached to a building as are standard decks , they simply "float" on top of the ground. They are also called freestanding decks,…
Make Plans Before Jumping in to Deck Project More planning and consideration may go into building an outdoor deck than, say, an indoor bathroom. Besides determining it's a deck you want instead of a patio, you will need to…
A Tropical Hardwood That's Built to LastIpe is a hardwood from Brazilian rainforests that has received lots of attention in the past couple of decades. Why? For one thing, it's as hard—or harder—than nails (it's been known to bend…
Protecting the Boards While They're Still New Is Relatively PainlessThompson's Water Seal is one of the deck sealers commonly used to protect decks from such menaces as moisture and mildew. If you just had a new deck built, you…